GLO - Principal Software Engineer (Programmer VI)

The Texas General Land Office is seeking a Programmer VI (Principal Software Engineer) within the Information Technology Services Department of the agency.

The (Principal Software Engineer) performs highly advanced and/or supervisory (senior-level) computer programming work involving analyzing system specifications to develop software for computer applications; developing solution software; documenting the methods and procedures used in software development; and testing, correcting, and revising software. Works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Employees at this level may be considered technical experts in the field and may: Develop standards and procedures for programming staff and ensure that work is completed in a timely and efficient manner and is consistent with defined policies and procedures. Manage multiple projects occasionally, and/or some of the most complex programming projects involving highly complex design, development, and implementation of software programs and applications. 

The Information Technology Services (ITS) team advances the mission of the State of Texas General Land Office through technology. We deliver innovative technology solutions and services to the agency and are a value partner in our mission success. We are committed to operating with a growth mindset, developing sustainable solutions, providing excellent customer service, and safeguarding the IT resources of the agency. ITS leverages the capabilities of the most advanced technology platforms to drive innovation, transparency, and connection for Texans.

The Principal Software Engineer is a senior technical leader responsible for designing, developing, and delivering high-quality, scalable, and secure software solutions that span multiple enterprise applications and domains within the agency. This role provides deep technical expertise, mentorship, and architectural guidance across diverse engineering teams, helping to drive modernization and innovation aligned with agency-wide priorities.

The Principal Software Engineer contributes to the execution of engineering strategies by developing and championing modern application architectures—including cloud-native, API-first, and event-driven systems—that integrate seamlessly across multiple systems and functional areas. They collaborate closely with engineering managers, architects, and product owners to ensure development practices promote maintainability, performance, and alignment with complex, cross-domain business needs.

Key responsibilities include writing and reviewing production-grade code, setting technical standards, solving complex challenges that span multiple systems, and ensuring that software solutions comply with enterprise architecture, security, and accessibility requirements. The Principal Software Engineer plays a critical role in mentoring engineers, promoting engineering excellence, and fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

Operating with considerable independence and technical judgment, this role serves as a trusted authority influencing design decisions and guiding the long-term evolution and integration of the agency’s diverse software ecosystems.     

Our Mission:
The Texas General Land Office primarily serves the schoolchildren, veterans, and the environment of Texas. The agency does so by preserving our history, maximizing state revenue through innovative administration, and through the prudent stewardship of state lands and natural resources.

What Your Contributions to the GLO Will be:

• Lead the enterprise product architecture, system design, and development of complex, high-impact solutions using technologies such as C#, Java, Python, and cloud-native platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP). Define product and system architectures that strategically integrate low-code/no-code platforms to complement cloud-native solutions, maximizing agility, scalability, and value delivery. Embed accessibility-first and human-centered design principles into all architectures. Write and review production-grade code while enforcing engineering best practices, rigorous testing, deployment, and monitoring standards. Provide operational leadership for defect resolution, incident response, and dependency management. Ensure all solutions comply with enterprise architecture, security, accessibility, and data governance requirements.
• Define and institutionalize enterprise-wide technical and product architecture standards, including secure coding practices, accessibility-first design, and mature SDLC processes. Drive adoption of microservices, API-first, event-driven architectures, and low-code accelerators that complement cloud-native platforms. Lead technical and design debt reduction, continuous improvement initiatives, and modernization roadmaps that align with agency priorities and ensure long-term system resilience, agility, and usability.
• Act as a bridge and trusted advisor across engineering, IT leadership, business stakeholders, project teams, and compliance functions. Translate business requirements into enterprise product and system architecture strategies, defining actionable roadmaps that guide technical execution. Balance cloud-native and low-code adoption with regulatory, security, accessibility, and user experience requirements. Communicate complex technical decisions clearly to executives and non-technical audiences, ensuring alignment between business priorities and technical outcomes.
• Mentor and develop engineers, senior ICs, and technical leads, fostering a culture of engineering and design excellence. Champion knowledge sharing, peer code/design reviews, and training to strengthen organizational capability. Promote continuous learning in emerging technologies, design best practices, and accessibility standards, ensuring both engineering and product teams evolve together and consistently apply enterprise product and system architecture strategies.
• Research, evaluate, and recommend emerging tools, platforms, and design approaches—including AI/ML, serverless, low-code/no-code, UX frameworks, and blockchain solutions. Shape technology adoption strategies that balance custom development, commercial off-the-shelf (COTS), and cloud-based platforms, maximizing agility, value delivery, and human-centered product outcomes.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in computer science, information systems, computer engineering, or a related field. Equivalent professional experience may substitute for the degree requirement at a rate of one year of relevant experience for each year of education.
• A minimum of 7 years of progressive professional experience in software engineering, technical development, or enterprise application delivery.

Minimum Qualifications:

Location Requirements:

This position is based in Austin, TX. Candidates must be currently located in the Austin area or willing to relocate at their own expense. Relocation assistance is not provided.

Physical Requirements:

This position requires the employee to primarily perform sedentary office work; however, mobility (moving around the worksite) is routinely required to carry out some duties. This position requires extensive computer, telephone and client/ customer contact and communication. It requires the ability to move and position oneself as needed for filing and similar routine office duties. The job also requires normal cognitive abilities requiring the ability to learn, recall, and apply certain practices and policies. It requires the stamina to maintain attention to detail despite interruptions. Ability to read printed materials and computer screens. The individual must be able to move and transport records, documents, boxes, and all related information and materials, weighing up to 20 pounds when required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated expertise in software engineering, particularly in custom application development using modern technologies (e.g., Java, C#, Python, Go, etc.).
• Extensive experience in designing scalable, maintainable, and high-performance systems tailored to organizational needs.
• Demonstrated understanding of cloud-native development, particularly with platforms like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud, and modern application architectures such as microservices, API-first, and event-driven architectures.
• Comfortable in designing solutions that support legacy modernization and system integrations with both on-prem and cloud environments.
• Leads by example — writes and reviews high-quality, production-grade code, as well as setting coding standards and best practices.
• Takes ownership of the entire development lifecycle, from design through implementation, testing, and deployment, ensuring code quality, security, and maintainability.
• Works closely with engineering teams to guide the execution of custom code that aligns with enterprise-wide goals, technical debt management, and modernization initiatives.
• Experience working with cloud-native platforms and advocating for cloud-first strategies.
• Can balance the need for custom code development with integrating off-the-shelf solutions where appropriate.
• Acts as a mentor to less experienced engineers, helping them grow technically and professionally.
• Cultivates a culture of engineering excellence, ensuring continuous learning and adoption of best practices

Compensation And Benefits:

·       Free Parking

• Defined Retirement Benefit Plan Optional 401(k) and 457 accounts
• Medical Insurance - State pays 100% of the health plan premium for eligible full-time employees and 50% of the premium for their eligible dependents. The State pays 50% of the eligible part-time employees’ premium and 25% for eligible dependents.
• Optional Benefits such as dental, vision, and life insurance.
• Minimum of 96+ Hours of Annual Leave a year **Annual leave increases with length of service.
• Professional Development Opportunities: The GLO offers numerous courses to help our employees grow using resources through LinkedIn Learning and our EAP provider.

Veterans:
Use your military skills to qualify for this position or other jobs! Go to www.texasskillstowork.com to translate your military work experience and training courses into civilian job terms, qualifications and skill sets. Also, you can compare this position to military occupations (MOS) at the Texas State Auditor's Office by pasting this link into your browser:

Military Crosswalk for Occupational Category - Information Technology

How To Apply:

• To be considered, please complete a State of Texas Application for Employment and apply online at www.workintexas.com or in the CAPPS Career Section.
• You may apply for the job directly through the CAPPS Career Section. It is not necessary to apply both through Work in Texas and the CAPPS Career Section.
• Applications must be fully completed with a detailed job history, including job title, employment dates, employer name, supervisor's name and phone number, and a summary of responsibilities. Incomplete applications may lead to disqualification. Please be aware that resumes will not be accepted in place of a completed application.
• In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.
• A position utilizing this classification will be designated as security sensitive according to the Texas Labor Code, Section 301.042.
• Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa.